Clothesline covering device



July 18, 1939. J. TARLAZZI CLOTHESLINE COVERING DEVICE Filed Sept. 15,1938 IN VENTOR. JULIUS YRRLAZ 1 4' ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1939UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in clothes line covering devicesand more particularly to such a device in which the clothes linecovering is wound and unwound automatically upon movement of the clothesline.

Such devices in the past have been complicated in construction.Furthermore the reel containing the covering tape in such a device, wasnot easily detachable from the same so that 10 said reel might beremoved and brought indoors where the tape might be kept protected andclean.

An object of my invention is to provide a clothes line covering devicein which the line covering is automatically wound and unwound uponmovement of the clothes line and the clothes line covered so thatclothes hanged upon the same will not become soiled.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clothes line coveringdevice in which the tape containing reel may be easily detachable fromthe remainder of the device in order that the clothes line covering maybe removed from the remainder of the device'and it is not necessary toleave the same out of doors with the device when not in use and the samemay thereby be kept clean.

A further object of myinvention is to provide means for insuring an evenfeeding .of the clothes line covering tape whenthe same isbeing unwoundfrom the reelcontaining the same.

Other objects will appear or will be obvious from a consideration of thedetailed. description which follows when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing.

The device of the present invention consists of a frame in which ismounted two pulleys, one beneath the other,.over which a clothes linepasses, the flanges of the lowermost pulley being serrated about theircircumference. Pivotally mounted on the frame is a reel holding memberin which is rotatably and detachably mounted a reel containing theclothes line covering tape, said creel holding member being acted uponby a spring so that the tape on the reel may be held in contact with theserrated edges of the lowermost clothes line pulley in order thatlongitudinal movement of the clothes line will either wind or unwind theclothes line covering tape from the reel. A braking device is mounted onsaid reel holding member to frictionally engage the side of the flangeof the tapeholding reel in order that the tape will be unwound from thereel evenly. A tape guiding means is mounted on said reel holding memberto guide the tape as the same is being Wound or unwound from the reel. I

It will be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted tothe exact disclosure, but is susceptible to such changes andmodifications 5 which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure l-is a side elevational view of the device of the presentinvention. 1

Figure 2 is a view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure '3 is a perspective view showing the clothes line covering tapefastened to the clothes line. 16

Figure 4 is a view showing the manner of mounting the covering tape reelon the reel holding member.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. 20

The pulley holding frame H] has extension arms "H adapted to engage ahook I2, or other fastening means so that said frame may be attached toa wall l3. Rotatably mounted in the frame 10 are pulleys l4 and IS, thepulley 25 libeing mounted below the pulley l4 and preferably being of a'larger diameter.

Theflanges of the'pulley l5 are serrated about their circumference asshown at it.

An endless clothes line I1 passes about the 30 pulleys l4 and i5 andabout pulleys, not shown, which are mounted on a wall or similar supportoppositethe frame Ill and wall 13.

vPivotally mounted on the frame ID at lla is a reel supporting bracket18 containing an en- 3 largedportionlil Whlchis slotted at 20toaccommodate the axle 2| of a clothes line covering tape reel 22 sothat said axle may rotate in the member 18 and the reel 22 removedtherefrom through the slot '20. A clothes line covering 40 tape 12a iswound on'the reel 22. A look plate 23 .is pivotally mounted on theenlarged portion IB of the member I8 so that the tape reel'maybejlocjked in positioninthe slot 2 0.

The bracket IB'has anextension'24 on which 45 is pivotallymounted abrake25, having a rubber surface 26' adapted to frictionally engage theflange of the tape reel 22; The side 21 of the brake 25 is tapered awayfrom the flange of the reel 22 so that when-the-tapeZ'ra'is being wound50 onto the reel "22' the "frictional engagement of thelrubberlsulfface126With the flange of the tape reel will releasethebrake 25 so that itwill ene thefl ne only. ht y.

When the tape is being unwound from the reel, 55

the frictional engagement of the rubber surface 26 will rotate the brakeabout the pivot increasing the pressure of the rubber surface againstthe flange which will not allow the tape to be unwound too quickly.

A tape guide 28 having fingers 29 and 30 is mounted on the front of thebracket I8. The tape guide has a slot 3| formed therein through whichthe tape 22a passes. The fingers 29 and 30 prevent the edges of the tapefrom folding over and insures the tape being wound onto the reel flatly.

A spring 32, mounted at I1, acts on the bracket I8 pressing the tape 22ainto contact with the serrated circumference of the flanges of thepulley I5. Since the pulley I5 is of a lesser width than the tape reel22, the flanges'of the pulley l5 bear directly against thej -tape,- 22aso that l rotation of the pulley I5 by movement of the, clothes line I!will rotate the reel 22 "byaction'" 0f the serrated flanges on the tape,either winding or unwinding the tape depending ;on the direction ofrotation.

A tip 33, preferably of light metal, having prongs 34 and 35 is fastenedto the end of the tape 22a. The prongs 34 and 35 may be pressed into theclothes line I! and the tape thereby fastened to said line.

In the operation of the device, the pulley holding frame I0 is fastenedto any desired support such as a hook |2 on a wall I3, usually out ofdoors. An endless clothes line I! passes over the pulleys I4 and I5rotatably mounted in the frame I0 and over a pulley, not shown in thedrawing, rotatably mounted on a support opposite to the Wall I3. 7 3

The tape reel 22 containing the clothes line covering tape 22a is placedin the bracket I8 by moving the bracket I8 outwardly away from thepulley holding frame Ill, against the tension of the spring 32 since thespring 32 presses the bracket I8 against the frame when the reel 22 isnot mounted thereon, and placing the axle 2| of the reel 22 in the slot20. The reel is then looked in place by moving the lock plate 23 so thatthe slot therein engages the axle 2| the free end of said plate beingsnapped over the bracket I8 locking the reel 22 in the bracket I8.

The tape 22a, wound on the reel 22, is held firmly against the serratededges of the flanges on the pulley I5 by action of the spring 32 on thebracket I8 so that rotation of the pulley I5 will rotate the reel 22.

The tip 33, fastened to the end of the tape 22a is then placed throughthe slot in the tape guide 28 and fastened to the lower lead of theclothes line I! by pressing the prongs 34 and 35 into' the line.

When it is desired to hang clothes on the line,

the clothes line is moved longitudinallyin the direction of the arrow inFigure 1. This movement will rotate the pulleys I4 and I5 in ananticlockwise direction and the engagement of the serrated edges on thecircumference of the flanges of the pulley I5 with the tape 22a willrotate the reel 22 in a clockwise direction unwinding the tape from thereel as the.clothes.

line moves in the direction indicated in' the drawing.

When enough covering tape is fed out from the reel 22 to cover theamount of line required by a piece of washing, the piece of washing isplaced over the tape 22a, the tape 22a coming in contact with the clothline I1, the article of washing being held away from contacting the lineby means of the tape thereby preventing the soiling of the washing. Theclothes pins which hold the piece of washing in position, also hold thetape in position on the line. The line is then moved forward in thedirection of the arrow in Figure 1 so that another article may be placedthereon.

As the tape is unwound from the reel 22 and the diameter of the spool oftape on the reel becomes less, thetape remaining on the reel is pressedinto engagement with the serrated circumference of the'fianges of thepulley I5 by the action of the spring 32 on the bracket I8 pivoted 'to'the frame I0 at IIa.

Thexr'ubber surface 26 of the brake 25 in its normal position lightlyengages the flange of the reel 22'fricti0nally. As the reel 22 moves inan anti-clockwise direction feeding out the tape 22a, the frictionbetween the surface 26 and the "flange is increased due to the taper onthe braking surface. This prevents too much tape from being vunwound-from the reel when the clothes ne gierke l war-d since e r e s hm spinning. a v

When it is desired to remove the washing from the clothes line, the lineI1 is moved in adirection opposite to that indicated bythe arrow inFigure 1. This moves the pulleys I4 and I5 in a clockwisedirection,the'reel22 moving in an anticlockwise direction throughthe engagement ofthe tape 22a thereon, with the serrated flanges on the'pulley I5,thereby winding the tape 22a onto the reel 22.

As the tape is wound onto the reel 22 and the diameter of the spool oftape onthe reel becomes larger, the center of the reel 22 moves awayfrom the pulley I5, the tape on the reel, however, always being pressedinto engagement with the serrated edges IE on the'fianges of the pulleyI5 by action of the spring 32 on the bracket I8 on which the reel '22 ismounted;

The brake 25 is release during the winding of the tape onto the reel 22,the tapered surface 21 of the brake engaging the flange of the reel 22.

When all of the washing'has been removed from'theline' and the tape 22ais fully wound on the reel 22, the reel may be removed from the bracketI8 by swinging the lock plate 23 out of engagement with the bracket I8and axle 2|, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing. The axle is thenslided from the slot 20 in the enlarged portion I9 of the bracket I8 andthe reel 22 thereby removed from the device. 7

The bracket I8 is moved by the spring 32 until the arms of the bracketrest against the frame I II.

The reel of tape may then be stored in a suitable place where the samemay be kept clean until it is again desired to use the same. The clothesline, and the remainder of the device may be left hanging out of doors,since any dust, dirt or soot fa-lling'on the line will be covered by thetape 22a when the line is used which tape will be kept clean betweenuses.

It may be readily understood that the present invention may be adaptedin different ways to accomplish the purposes set forth and His not myintention to limit the invention to the exact details of constructionshown and described but rather tocover all equivalent structuresas'defined by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a line covering device, a frame, pulleys rotatably mounted oneabove'the other in said frame over which anendless line passes toprovide upper and lower leads, a bracket pivotally mounted on saidframe, a reel of tape rotatably mounted in'said bracketadaptedto'frictionally engage the circumference'off the flanges of the lowerpulley whereby rotation] of the pulley by movement of the line in onedirection will wind the tape upon said reel and rotation of the pulleyin the opposite direction will unwind said tape from'the reel, tapeguiding means'mounted on said bracket through" which said tape is passedand means'for'fastening saidftapeto the lower lead of said line,saidlin'e being covered with tape by movement of the same in a directionto unwind said tape "from said reel and uncovered by movement of theline in a direction to wind said tape on said reel.

2. In aline covering device, a frame, pulleys rotatably mounted oneabove the other in said frame over which an endless line passes toprovide upper and lower leads, the circumference of the flanges of saidlower pulley being serrated, a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame,a reel of tape rotatably mounted in said bracket adapted to frictionallyengage the circumference of the flanges of the lower pulley wherebyrotation of the pulley by movement of the line in one direction willwind the tape upon said reel and rotation of the pulley in the oppositedirection will unwind said tape from the reel, a spring mounted on saidframe and said bracket adapted to hold said tape in frictionalengagement with said flanges, tape guiding means mounted on said bracketthrough which said tape is passed, and means for fastening said tape tothe lower lead of said line, said line being covered with tape bymovement of the same in a direction to unwind said tape from said reeland uncovered by movement of the line in a direction to wind said tapeon said reel.

3. In a line covering device, a frame, pulleys rotatably mounted oneabove the other in said frame over which an endless line passes toprovide upper and lwer leads, a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame,a reel of tape rotatably mounted in said bracket adapted to frictionallyengage the circumference of the flanges of the lower pulley wherebyrotation of the pulley by movement of the line in one direction willwind the tape upon said reel and rotation of the pulley in the oppositedirection will unwind said tape from the reel, braking means adapted toautomatically frictionally act upon the flange of said reel when thetape is being unwound from the same and released when said tape is beingwound upon said reel, a spring mounted on said frame and said bracketadapted to hold said tape in frictional engagement with said flanges,tape guiding means mounted on said bracket through which said tape ispassed, and means for fastening said tape to the lower lead of saidline, said line being covered with tape by movement of the same in adirection to unwind said tape from the said reel and uncovered bymovement of the line in a direction to wind said tape onto the saidreel.

4. In a line covering device, a frame, pulleys rotatably mounted oneabove the other in said frame over which an endless line passes toprovide upper and lower leads, the circumference of the flanges of saidlower pulley being serrated, a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame,an enlarged bearing portion on said bracket having a slot therein, areel of tape removably and rotatably mounted in said slot adapted tofrictionally engage the circumference of the flanges of the lower pulleywhereby rotation of the pulley by movement of the line in one directionwi wind the tape upon saidreel and rotation of the pulley in th oppositedirection will unwind said tape' from the reel, a spring mounted on saidframe and said bracket adapted to hold said tape in'frictionalengagement with said flanges, tape guiding means mounted on'said bracketthrough Whichsaidtape is passed, and means for fastening said tape tothe lower lead of said line, said line beingcovered 'with tape bymovement of the same in adirection to unwind saidtape from s'aid'ree'land uncovered by movement of the line in' a direction to Wind said tapeon. said reel.

5. In a line covering device, a frame, pulleys rotatably mounted oneabove the other in said frame over which an endless line passes toprovide upper and lower leads, the circumference of the flanges of saidlower pulley being serrated, a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame,an enlarged bearing portion on said bracket having a slot therein, areel of tape removably and rotatably mounted in said slot adapted tofrictionally engage the circumference of the flanges of the lower pulleywhereby rotation of the pulley by movement of the line in one directionwill wind the tape upon said reel and rotation of the pulley in theopposite direction will unwind said tape from the reel, braking meansadapted to automatically frictionally act upon the flange of said reelwhen the tape is being unwound from the same and released when said tapeis being wound upon said reel, a spring mounted on said frame and saidbracket adapted to hold said tape in frictional engagement with saidflanges, tape guiding means mounted on said bracket through which saidtape is passed, and means for fastening said tape to the lower lead ofsaid line, said line being covered with tape by movement of the same ina direction to unwind said tape from said reel and uncovered by movementof the line in a direction to wind said tape on said reel.

6. In a line covering device, a frame, pulleys rotatably mounted oneabove the other in said frame over which an endless line passes toprovide upper and lower leads, the circumference of the flanges of saidlower pulley being serrated, a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame,an enlarged bearing portion on said bracket having a slot therein, areel of tape removably and rotatably mounted in said slot adapted tofrictionally engage the circumference of the flanges of the lower pulleywhereby rotation of the pulley by movement of the line in one directionwill wind the tape upon said reel and rotation of the pulley in theopposite direction will unwind said tape from the reel, locking meansadapted to lock said reel in said slot, a spring mounted on said frameand said bracket adapted to hold said tape in frictional engagement withsaid flanges, tape guiding means mounted on said bracket through whichsaid tape is passed, and means for fastening said tape to the lower leadof said line, said line being covered with tape by movement of the samein a direction to unwind said tape from said reel and uncovered bymovement of the line in a direction to wind said tape on said reel.

'7. In a line covering device, a frame, pulleys rotatably mounted oneabove the other in said frame over which an endless line passes toprovide upper and lower leads, the circumference of the flanges of saidlower pulley being serrated, a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame,an enlarged bearing portion on said bracket having a slot therein, areel of tape removably and rotat- 'ablymounted in said slot adapted tofrictionally engage the circumference of the flanges of the said reel insaid slot, 9, spring mounted on said frame and said bracket adapted tohold said tape, in frictional engagement with said flanges, tape guidingmeans mounted on said bracket through which said tape is passed, andmeans for fastening said tape to the lower lead of said line, said linebeing covered with tape by movement of the same in a direction to.unwind said tape from said reel and uncovered by movement of the line ina direction to wind said tape on 10 said reel.

JULIUS TARLAZZI.

